Toby: Overcoming Adversity: Rejoining the Workforce

In 2017, at just 22 years old, Toby’s life took an unexpected turn. A brain aneurysm left the left side of his body paralyzed, and doctors delivered a grim prognosis: he might never walk or drive again. For Toby, a truck driver from California with a young daughter depending on him, this news was devastating but not defeating.

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Driven by determination and love for his family, Toby embarked on a grueling journey of recovery. Against all odds, he gradually reclaimed his ability to walk and drive. However, the road to full recovery and self-sufficiency remained challenging.

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After years of rehabilitation and personal growth, Toby felt ready to take the next step in his journey. His quest for meaningful employment took a pivotal turn in January 2024 when he connected with the Pursuit Center. Here, Toby found more than just a job placement service; he discovered a team of dedicated professionals eager to uncover and nurture his untapped potential, matching his own readiness to move forward.

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Shannon Derousselle, his job coach, worked closely with Toby, assessing his abilities through task-oriented exercises. “The Employment Services team saw beyond my limitations,” Toby recalls. “They focused on what I could do, not what I couldn’t. It was the first time since my aneurysm that I felt truly seen as a capable individual.”

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Pursuit Center guided Toby through the job search process, assisting with applications and interview preparation. Knowing Toby’s love for water, they focused on opportunities in Galveston, Texas. Their efforts paid off when Toby secured a position as a ride operator at the Kemah Boardwalk, a role he never imagined possible post-injury. “Without my job coach’s encouragement, I might never have applied for this job,” Toby admits. “They pushed me to see my potential and to try things I thought were beyond my reach.”

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What impressed Toby most was the immediate impact of the support from Employment Services on his job prospects. “I was amazed that companies kept calling me to come interview,” he shares. “Employers were actively seeking me out. That level of interest was incredible and really boosted my confidence.”

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Pursuit Center equipped Toby with self-advocacy skills, and gave him the confidence to communicate his needs and request necessary accommodations. This proved invaluable as he adapted to his new role, allowing him to thrive in an environment that valued his abilities and supported his growth.

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Today, Toby’s life looks remarkably different from the bleak future once predicted. He drives to work daily, operates complex machinery, and continues to adapt to single-handed techniques. His employers at the Kemah Boardwalk have proven to be understanding partners in his journey, providing support and challenges to expand his skills.

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“Pursuit Center didn’t just find me a job,” Toby reflects. “They helped me rediscover my confidence. They showed me that my journey of recovery isn’t just about regaining what I lost, but about discovering new strengths I never knew I had.”

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Toby’s story is a powerful illustration to the impact of Pursuit Center’s employment services. It demonstrates how tailored support, combined with an individual’s determination and love for their family, can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. For Toby, and many others like him, Pursuit Center has been more than a service provider—it has been a catalyst for transformation, hope, and renewed independence, offering support that extends well beyond initial job placement, and touching every aspect of a person’s life.

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